Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine work and training to offer a programme, which includes:

a minimum wage set at a national rate a real job with an employer and contract of employment nationally recognised qualifications.

The Apprenticeships form a key part of work based learning, which leads to a framework of qualifications. Quite simply, they are a partnership between the learner, learning provider and the employer. Apprenticeships are available to learners of all ages ranging from school and college leavers (sixteen to eighteen years of age) to the Adult Apprenticeship (19 years of age plus)

The Apprenticeship can help those who:

are taking the first steps of their career may be looking to move into a new occupation are hoping for career progression need formal training to support practical knowledge want to broaden their expertise and skills would like to increase knowledge and confidence

Each Apprenticeship has an equivalent education level: Intermediate - equivalent to 5 GCSE passes Advanced - equivalent to 2 A level passes Higher - can lead to NVQ Level 4 and above, or a foundation degree Apprenticeships take 1 to 4 years to complete, depending on the level.

If you feel you’re not ready for an Apprenticeship yet, a Traineeship is a course designed to prepare you for one.

The Administration Apprenticeship has been designed in order to help learners involved with the day to day administrative duties of their company to improve their skills and benefit from the experience of those around them. This nationally recognised qualification will help to improve practical skills and develop the knowledge necessary to complete key tasks and put knowledge into practice.

Apprenticeship - Business Administration Level 2

The Apprenticeship is designed for those people who are:

involved in Administration as their main work activity.

seeking a career in Administration and looking to achieve professional qualifications.

looking to gain a qualification that formally recognises their abilities.

Advanced Apprenticeship - Business Administration Level 3

The Advanced Apprenticeship is designed for those people who:

are in a supervisory role within Administration and looking to further develop their skills.

wish to gain a qualification that formally recognises their abilities.

are keen to enter into a management role.

Functional Skills – Business Administration Level 2/3

Functional Skills enable employees to be competent and confident at work and are just as relevant to young people starting their careers, as they are to those adults established in their careers. In order to achieve the Apprenticeship, learners may also need to complete Functional Skills in literacy, numeracy or IT.

Higher Apprenticeship - Business Administration Level 4

The Higher Apprenticeship is designed for those people who:

have significant experience of working in a business environment.

will usually be in, or are about to be in, a management role that gives them autonomy in their job.

Studying for the AAT Accounting qualification will provide you with the skills necessary to work in many different types of companies and organisations. This nationally recognised qualification will help you to improve your practical skills and develop the knowledge necessary to complete key tasks enabling you to put knowledge into practice.

The Apprenticeship is designed for those people who are:

involved in Accountancy as their main work activity.

seeking a career in Accountancy and looking to achieve professional qualifications.

looking for a fast track to chartered accountancy.

hoping to gain a qualification that formally recognises their abilities.

looking to avoid university debt.

Each level of the AAT qualification will give the learner the knowledge and skills which can be applied immediately to their own particular role. There are three levels available to study:

Apprenticeship – AAT Level 2

Advanced Apprenticeship - AAT Level 3

Higher Apprenticeship – AAT Level 4

Functional Skills – AAT Level 2/3

Functional Skills enable employees to be competent and confident at work and are just as relevant to young people starting their careers, as they are to those adults established in their careers. In order to achieve the Apprenticeship, learners may also need to complete Functional Skills in literacy or numeracy.

How will the work be assessed?

AAT assessments are designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of the skills you’ve developed. AAT assessments:

Are practical computer based assessments (CBA).

Can be taken whenever you’re ready, as long as your tutor agrees. There’s no set date

for the tests.

Are mostly marked automatically, so you can see provisional results straight away.

This lets you understand how you are progressing.

Cover a range of learning methods, including online tests, reports, evidence of prior

learning achievements and workplace experience.

There are two main types of computer based assessment (CBA):

Computer based tests (CBT) marked by the AAT. Level 2 and 3 provisional results are available on the assessment day. Level 4 results are available within six weeks of the assessment date.

Computer based projects (CBP) marked by McArthur Dean tutors. The results are available after the project has been assessed and internally verified.

The Customer Service Apprenticeship will improve the skills of those learners responsible for the delivery of a quality service on behalf of their customers. The aim of the qualification is to develop the strengths necessary to provide a reliable customer service and deliver a level of performance which will ultimately aid career progression.

Apprenticeship – Customer Service Level 2

The Apprenticeship is designed for those people who are:

working within a customer service role who want to improve their skills.

hoping to enter a customer service role and develop the necessary skills.

intending to gain a qualification which formally recognises their achievements.

Advanced Apprenticeship – Customer Service Level 3

The Advanced Apprenticeship is designed for those people who:

are in a supervisory role within Customer Service and looking to develop their skills.

wish to gain a qualification that formally recognises their abilities.

are responsible for the delivery and performance of a team.

Functional Skills – Customer Service Level 2/3

Functional Skills enable employees to be competent and confident at work and are just as relevant to young people starting their careers, as they are to those adults established in their careers. In order to achieve the Apprenticeship, learners may also need to complete Functional Skills in literacy or numeracy.

The Team Leading Apprenticeship will help you to develop the skills needed to perform well in a leadership role. The aim of the qualification is to provide an insight into the principles and processes of leadership and will aid career progression. The Team Leading Apprenticeship will make you aware of the critical issues involved in teams of all sizes, from modest beginnings to multi-national companies. Once the Team Leading Apprenticeship has been completed it is often a logical move to progress to the Advanced Apprenticeship in Management. It can also be the springboard into other apprenticeships such as Customer Service and can often lead to higher education including university.

Apprenticeship – Team Leading Level 2

The Apprenticeship is designed for those people who:

currently lead a team and are responsible for team performance.

are keen to enter into a leadership role.

wish to gain a qualification which formally recognises their skills.

Functional Skills – Team Leading Level 2

Functional Skills enable employees to be competent and confident at work and are just as relevant to young people starting their careers, as they are to those adults established in their careers. In order to achieve the Apprenticeship, learners may also need to complete Functional Skills in literacy or numeracy.

The Management Apprenticeship has been developed from the National Occupational Standards produced by the Management Standards Centre (MSC), the national standard setting body for management and leadership. The aim of the qualification is to contribute to the skills, knowledge and overall performance of the learner in management and leadership. It provides insight into the principles and processes of management and will help the learner to pursue a successful career within management.

Advanced Apprenticeship – Management Level 3

The Advanced Apprenticeship is designed for those people who:

are entering a management role, or who wish to gain a qualification that formally recognises their skills.

manage a team and are responsible for its performance.

are first line managers with a wider managerial role, which could include recruitment and budgetary responsibilities.

The Intermediate Apprenticeship is open to anyone with a strong commitment to learning, to at least level 2. However, we would prefer the potential learner to have good GCSE results, which include English and Maths.

The entry requirement for the Advanced Apprenticeship is either a minimum of 5 GCSE passes at grade C or higher, an NVQ level 2 or relevant work experience. The Advanced Apprenticeship is available for those who would like to work towards a level 3 qualification, or above

The Higher Apprenticeship is for those learners looking to work towards level 4, or above. It is expected that Higher Apprentices will have significant experience of working in a business role to ensure they have the foundations on which to build their knowledge and skills. Ideally, applicants will have already achieved an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Unfortunately, the Apprenticeship is not available to those individuals who hold a first degree.

In order to complete the Apprenticeship programme, each learner must successfully achieve a ‘framework’. The framework is a nationally recognised group of vocational qualifications, which together, make up the full Apprenticeship qualification and can include the following:

NVQ

Technical Certificate

Functional skills

Work based learning is built around practical experience with an employer and appropriate training arranged by a learning provider. In this way, the learner gets the knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the relevant qualifications and complete the Apprenticeship framework.

An NVQ, or National Vocational Qualification, is a nationally recognised qualification, which is available at various achievement levels. It is designed in order to provide each learner with the chance to show what they can do at work and the skills they have developed to carry out their role.

The achievement of an NVQ is proof of competence to do the job rather than just write about it. Each learner is accredited for the skill levels and experience they achieve both in their job and through the training provided, which is then used as part of the overall evidence collected during the training programme itself.

Once the relevant training has been undertaken, learners will then be able to put the skills attained into practice. Due to the practical nature of an NVQ, assessments of each learner are also carried out within the workplace on a regular basis.

The Technical Certificate is designed in order to provide a clear understanding of the world of work. Training for the qualification is normally delivered in the training centre on a day-release basis.

Important issues are covered including, for example, the various types of organisations and their structures, rights and responsibilities, data protection and human resources.

Functional Skills, in English, Maths and ICT, enables employees to be competent and confident at work and are just as relevant to young people starting their careers, as they are to those adults established in their job.

Functional skills are designed to provide an individual with the knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work and are an essential part of the Apprenticeship programme.

All of the Apprenticeship programmes include Functional Skills because they demonstrate a person can communicate both orally and in writing, tackle numerical problems and use IT effectively within their role.

The Apprenticeship programme is viewed by the government as a key element within its plans to develop skill levels and qualifications within the UK. With this in mind, Apprenticeship programmes can attract public funding, or subsidies towards the overall cost of the training.

So, you are about to complete your Apprenticeship and are starting to think about what to do next. You may be looking to move on to an Advanced Apprenticeship, or beyond this level. Whatever your situation, it is clear that looking to continue your studies and gain more qualifications will only benefit you further, as you seek to develop your skills and progress in your career.

There are many options available to you and any route you take will be determined by your own personal circumstances. Here, we will try to highlight the options available and answer many of the questions you may have at the moment.

Advanced/Higher Apprenticeships - NVQ levels 3, 4 and 5. There are many options available to you with Apprenticeships, which are available at the higher levels in many different subject areas. For example, you can study accounts through the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and gain a professional qualification up to level 4. Many universities are now recognising higher level Apprenticeships when considering applications.

BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC). This is a typical route for a learner who wants to study part-time (normally on an evening) because they have a full-time job. The subject areas are varied, ranging from engineering to business studies and media. An HNC is equivalent to the first year of a degree course.

BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) – This is a full-time qualification that is common in a number of skill areas, including management. The HND will allow you to join a degree course to gain a full degree, with one or two years' further study, depending on the subject.

Foundation Degree – This is a qualification which has been developed especially for those following work-based learning routes. They can be studied on a full-time or day-release basis and are a similar level to the HND. They can be topped-up to an Honours Degree by further study.

Honours Degrees - These are available as both full and part-time qualifications, lasting from 3 to 6 years, depending on the subject. Some are available as ‘sandwich’ courses, where a year is spent on work experience following the first 2 years of study and a final year is spent back in the university.

There are two other degree-level qualifications available - Certificate in Higher Education and Diploma in Higher Education. These are typically taken by those in nursing, care and other health-related areas.

There are lots of reasons why you may want to continue with your studies. Certainly, improving your qualifications can be beneficial in many ways:

You may need a professional qualification to help you progress in your career. For example, gaining chartered status in subjects such as engineering or accountancy, or to do certain jobs where the higher-level qualification is a requirement.

Developing more skills will enable you to work at higher levels and aid career progression.

With a higher qualification, you could earn more money during your working life and have more job security.

With better skills and higher qualifications, you will have more opportunities to experience a range of jobs.

If you want to continue to work, you will need to study for a higher qualification on a part-time basis.

If you have just completed your Apprenticeship and want to move on to the Advanced level, you will know that a good deal of the training is work based with your assessor visiting you on a regular basis.

Following the part-time route will mean that you attend your course on a day-release basis, in the evenings, or a combination of the two. More than 40% of students in higher education are studying on a part-time basis, so this is a well-recognised option.

If you cannot get the time off work or you work shifts, you could consider a course with the Open University. Learning takes place at home using a combination of support materials, such as books, tapes or through on-line learning.

If you decide that you want to concentrate on a higher qualification full-time, you will be able to apply for a student loan.

You could get financial help towards the costs of your course. The help you can get will depend on a range of factors, including your personal circumstances and the course you are doing.

If you are thinking of doing a course, there’s plenty of information about financial help online. There are also telephone helplines that can answer questions on some of your funding options - or you can talk to a learner support or welfare officer.

If you are undertaking an Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship, your fees will be partly subsidised by the government. However, because you are in work, your employer may contribute to the costs of the programme. The government has introduced a loan scheme, similar to that used for full-time degrees, in which the learner can apply for a loan to cover the cost of the fees and then pay this sum back over a period of time.

In 2006 the Government introduced ‘top-up’ fees, allowing universities and colleges of higher education to charge up to £3,000 per annum for fulltime degree courses. Loans were available to cover the cost of those fees and the loan does not have to be repaid until the graduate is earning a salary of more than £15,000. In 2010, the coalition Government raised the maximum fee to £9,000 per annum and increased the salary level at which a contribution to pay off the loan has to be paid to £21,000. If the cost of the fees is off-putting you should be aware that many colleges that offer higher education courses also charge significantly less than universities’ own degree courses.

The cost of part-time courses is usually proportional to the full-time courses, so a part-time course that delivers half of a full-time course will cost 50% of a full-time equivalent course, but this is not always the case. BTEC courses such as HNC’s and HND’s usually cost significantly less.

A higher qualification could help you take charge of your future, by building skills and confidence and opening up new opportunities. Whatever stage of life you're at, it could well be the right choice for you. Many people choose to continue their studies and gain higher qualifications, which will develop their skills and help them to progress in their careers. Taking your education on to the next level, will help you to learn new things and get to where you want to be.

The Higher Apprenticeship programme has been introduced in order to meet the employers' need for higher level skills. It is available in various subject areas including, for example, administration, accounting, engineering and management.

If you are about to complete the Apprenticeship here at McArthur Dean Training and are looking to move on to the Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship, we would be delighted to provide you with the advice and guidance necessary to make the right choice for you. However, if you have completed the Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship and would like advice on the courses available and where you should apply, please use the leaflets and prospectuses kept here at McArthur Dean and discuss your needs with your tutor.

Here are some useful websites you may wish to look at, which will help you make the right choice.

Can I progress with my training?…
An Apprenticeship can open up a range of further opportunities and can lead to an Advanced or/and Higher Apprenticeship.

How long will it take?…
The type of Apprenticeship will determine the length of time a learner will need to achieve. The Apprenticeship will require a minimum of twelve months to complete. However, the Advanced Apprenticeship will normally take up to eighteen months for completion and the Higher Apprenticeship normally, up to two years.

Will I get a ‘real’ job?….
Yes, with a minimum national wage rate and a contract of employment from your employer.

What is an Advanced Apprenticeship?
Advanced Apprenticeships build on the tradition of the Apprenticeship. Learners undertaking the Advanced Apprenticeships train to a level 3 framework of qualifications, whilst in a regular full-time job.

Will the Advanced Apprenticeship help me to progress my career?
By combining training with a job, Advanced Apprenticeships give learners a sound progression in the workplace as well as a qualification, which can help them progress to the Higher Apprenticeship and jobs such as technicians and managers.

McArthur Dean Training Ltd has a firm belief in inclusion and is therefore dedicated to the provision of a culture, which propagates the virtues of equal opportunities for all people regardless of sex, race, religion or disability.

Whilst the language of equality and diversity can be complicated, in reality it simply means valuing the contribution and potential contribution that individuals can make. This approach supports the Government’s goal of an inclusive society where everyone has an equal chance to develop their knowledge and be active in the workforce.

The key objective of Equal Opportunities is to provide what many of us would describe as ‘a level playing field’ for differing groups and individuals. With this in mind, it is therefore the policy of McArthur Dean Training management and staff, to:

‘Deliver services to all our customers in a way which respects individual differences, helps to overcome disadvantages due to ethnicity, gender, age or disability and achieve the best possible outcome for them’

McArthur Dean Training believes that it is not acceptable for any learner to experience any kind of abuse. All learners, regardless of age, disability, gender, religious belief, race, or sexual orientation, have the equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
You have the right to feel safe, whilst you are on your Apprenticeship programme at McArthur Dean Training. We are committed to ensuring your well-being, security and safety.

We will work in partnership with learners, employers and other agencies in promoting a safe learning environment for all.

Our responsibilities

We will seek to safeguard all our learners by:

· Respecting them and listening to their concerns.
· Supporting all learners who disclose information or concerns to us.
· Adopting safeguarding guidelines through policies, procedures and a code of conduct for staff.
· Recruiting staff safely.
· Sharing information about concerns with agencies that need it, and involving learners and their parents/carers appropriately.
· Protecting learners, wherever possible, from all types of abuse.
Your responsibilities

· To respect other people’s rights to safety.
· Not to hurt or abuse others.
· Not to threaten to hurt or abuse others.
· Treat everyone with respect and fairness.
· Accept everyone is different and don’t discriminate.
If you think you are being harmed or abused by another learner, someone at work or someone at McArthur Dean Training, you should report this as soon as possible.

What will McArthur Dean Training do when I report abuse?
The designated person will:

McArthur Dean Training provides a dedicated training and recruitment service to learners and employers, primarily in administration, accountancy, customer service, team leading and management. Visit our ‘Latest vacancies’ to find the current jobs available.